New Groton #2 going bad?

arbalest

I've recently vented the returns with two Groton #2 and now after the first few full cycles it seems that one (just now - first time) continues to vent through the cycle but with a little gurgling sound. Could it be defective? Other info:

1) the old return bleeder vents were much smaller.
2) the old bleeders where right on the elbow of the returns.
3) the new bleeders are offset a bit but not the full distance some recommend.The one that is making a sound is 4.5" from the elbow.
4) they are as high as the ceiling allows.
5) should I wait for a few more cycles to worry about this?
6) should I change the installation to a 12+ inch offset right away?

Danny Scully

Just briefly following you previous posts, id lean more toward the water quality. Skim skim skim!

Steamhead

Take the vent off, immerse it in water and shake it. if there is any dirt caught in there, this will flush it out. If this doesn't help, it's bad- have whoever you bought it from exchange it.

Once in a while every manufacturer lets a bad one get through. Gorton is very good about taking care of this.

arbalest

Two updates
(1) - I used Groton's website to ask about warranty on these (a few days ago) and they did not reply (yet).

(2) - I still had the original bleeder valves so I put one back on to replace the bad Groton. Seemed fine for a few days but this morning the two radiators on the lowest floor, on this particular return leg, were hammering and water was on the floor around them. The water level in the boiler was fine. Maybe this bleeder has the opposite problem (i.e., not opening at all).

I shut the boiler off and I am on my way to buy a new Groton #2.

In 30 years of being a landlord I have done a few low-budget hacks here and there (never with heating) but I have never had as much grief as I have with this full priced "professional" installation -- even nearly two years after the install.

Fred

I don't know what kind of bleeder valve you have for a steam system ?? Are those radiators pitched properly?

arbalest

The bleeder valves I am talking about are on the returns, above the boiler. Yes, the radiators are fine and they haven't changed pitch ever. I am going to install the replacement Groton #2 in a few minutes and will update this post today or tomorrow.

arbalest

I jumped to a incorrect conclusion.

Now that I have the replacement Groton #2 in place and have run the boiler for a while, water did start accumulating around that radiator again. But this time without the hammering. It looks like the problem is the connection at radiator side of the shut-off valve. I closed the valve and the leak stopped. So, at least it is not a boiler problem this time!!!